Maybe you’ve noticed I have not posted in nearly a week.  I have been trying to slow down and listen.  Sometimes we think we have something important to say but it is only important to us because we like to hear ourselves.  I have slowed down to listen to God and to others.  There are seasons that you find yourself running hard and fast but make no time to hear from others and most importantly from God.  It’s not always about what your doing but it’s about who are you becoming.  Here are a couple things that I feel at liberty to share that I am learning from others and God.

• We have to go back to the foot of the cross and the empty tomb to hear God speak sometimes.
• The weakest area in your personal life will be the weakest area in your public ministry.
• A situation that seems impossible with human resources is simply an opportunity for God.
• Don’t let your estimate of what can’t be done keep you from taking on a task that can be done through God.
• Following Jesus means more than just acknowledging Him as Savior.  We must leave our past behind and commit our future to Him.
• Everyone loves progress not everyone loves sacrifice.
• People will only follow to the depth that you are personally willing to sacrifice.
• Our tendency is to pray for miracles.  But in most situations, it is more appropriate to pray for opportunities.

What is God saying to you?

• I have a fear of the dark.  - I typically send my wife to check out the scary noises.
• I have a fear of being scared.  -People I work with enjoy jumping out and screaming to get a reaction, that never gets old.
• I have a fear of Lego Wii. -My boys have an expectation of me beating the game.  What if I can’t?
• I have a fear of tight places.  -I am claustrophobic and yes I had to look up how to spell that word.
• I have a fear snakes.  -I don’t even like the “reptile” exhibit at the zoo.  While I am on the subject I don’t like any “reptiles” or bugs that fly, crawl, walk or live.
• I have a fear of bees.  -Although I am overcoming my fear by eating all their honey.  It’s my way of “sticking” it to them.

Then I have some more serious fears.  Fears that keep me up at night.  Fears that in some cases keep me from fully trusting on God and depending upon Him.  Fears that keep me from taking that next step.

• I fear being a bad dad. An absent father that gets caught up in putting the church first.  I fear them growing up with a resentment towards God or rebellious towards life to “stick” it to me.
• I fear being a bad husband. Similar reasons to being a bad dad.  I fear not providing the emotional support that my wife needs because I’m drained from offering it to everybody else.
• I fear being a drain on friends. Being too needy.  Dealing with junk was never meant to be alone but what if you have a lot of junk?  I fear that my friends eventually just get tired of hearing about it.
• I fear failure.  I fear that I won’t live up to my expectations or the unrealistic expectations of others.
• I fear being out of God’s will.  I fear not knowing timing.  I fear being too quick or to slow to stay in His will.
• I fear being lonely.  I fear the superficial shallow relationships that keep me from the deep meaningful ones.
• I fear letting people down. Goes along with my fear of failure and disappointing others.
• I fear not handling criticisms properly. I fear that I can’t separate me from the situation.  Take everything to personally.
• I fear failing morally. I have to work really hard at being sexually pure.  Not giving into temptation.
• I fear compromising my integrity. To get a laugh.  To get a applause.  I fear that I will compromise who God has made me to be on the alter of success.
• I fear my pride. I fear that my pride will get in the way of the Holy Spirit using me.

I have a lot of fears.  I would assume you do as well.  I also know that were told in the Bible not to have a “spirit of fear” and to be honest that is difficult.  This is a lifetime journey that I am on and don’t know if I will ever conquer my fears.  What I do know is that daily I give them to God and push through.  I continue to ask for direction and wisdom.

Waiting.

Listening.

Waiting.

Learning.

Waiting.

Dreaming.

Waiting.  Waiting.  Waiting.

What I do know is that even in my waiting I don’t remain still.  Waiting doesn’t mean to stop doing what your doing.  Waiting simply means listening for the still small voice of God to act.

What are some of your fears?  Fun or serious it doesn’t matter. Maybe you have a fear of leaving a comment because you wonder what people will think.  Today is a great day to overcome that fear.

• Coaching 3 guys who have enormous potential.
• Read 40 books this year, I have finished 22 so far so this may be a “redefine” goal.
• Practice the spiritual discipline of silence.  Learn from everybody no matter their age.
• Continue to develop as leader, studying, preparing, reading and listening.  Podcasts, blogs, sermons & interviews.
• Network, Network and Network some more.  Best way to learn is from the mistakes of others.

I left off some personal goals and family goals but what are some of your goals?  What motivates you?  Are you preparing to become who God has made you to be?  If so, what steps are you taking?

There is no question the profound impact that music can and does have on an individual and a culture.  From childhood sing-along songs to the early teenage years of listening to the “non parent approved” songs but only because we like the beat not the words.  Music can change your emotions and take you places.  It can set the mood or it can take you out of a mood.  The reality is that movies would not be nearly as effective without their sound tracks, think Top Gun, Rocky, Rudy, Braveheart or The Notebook, um…never mind that last one.  We can think of a song and tie it back to a location or an event.  Maybe its the conception of a child, first kiss, a death a friend or a road that you were driving on.  I can even pinpoint certain songs to smells and feelings.  Music is powerful not matter how you package it.

I was thinking about the music that has shaped me and potentially my “Gen X” generation, er, if that’s how you say it.

• Nirvana
• U2
• Michael Jackson
• Green Day
• Smashing Pumpkins
• Hootie and the Blowfish
• Pearl Jam
• Oasis
• Dave Matthews Band
• Wheezer
• The Offspring
• The Fugees
• Bush
• Foo Fighters
• Alanis Morissette
• Collective Soul
• Gin Blossoms
• Live
• Candlebox
• The Presidents of the United States of America
• The Wallflowers
• Radiohead
• REM
• Sound Garden

Each of these groups had a song that reminds me of an event, a person and a memory.

What bands have had a part of shaping who you are?

I’ve talked with friends who love to talk about the past.  I’m okay with that, for a bit, but then there is this part of me that wonders what are they living for today?  Are they embracing the opportunities of today or tomorrow?  If I’m honest I find myself doing the same thing sometimes.  I sit and remember what it used to be like and then I am reminded that if I am constantly looking back and holding on to my past then I will not be able to embrace today or tomorrow.

It’s ok to look at your past and learn from your past.  To celebrate the past, to grieve the past but it is not ok to stay in the past.  There comes a point where each of us must let go and move on and embrace what it is that God wants us to live for now.  James 4:14 says, “You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring-what your life will be!” That is exciting.  What is so exciting about a past that you have already lived?  For me I get excited about a future that I have to live for.

Does your life look anything like you thought it would?  How are you letting go of the past and embracing today?

• I don’t know if the forgiveness is as much for them as it is for me.  I am truly setting myself free.
• Forgiveness is painful because it requires you to face your past and your past choices.
• In many cases they may not even believe they did something wrong but that’s not the point.
• Forgiveness requires that we are happy for them not in their failures but in their success.
• Forgiveness may mean that you walk away still feeling it is unresolved from their end.
• Forgiveness gives us hope.
• We forgive not because it feels good or right but because Christ forgave us.
• We are all like children when it comes to forgiveness and non of us have it figured out.

I’m on this journey and at times it is uncomfortable but I know it is completely necessary.  All I can do is release them it is up to them to offer the forgiveness or accept the forgiveness.  The reality is that our past shapes who we are today but forgiveness will shape who we are tomorrow.

Posted by Mike Foster

I know we could stir up a lot of debate around what happened at Tiger Woods’ press conference. Especially if we discussed whether he meant it, the format, and all the other juicy details that the public seems to be so obsessed with these days.

But we aren’t TMZ or The View who profit from trashing, analyzing, and questioning everything. And we don’t exploit the pain of others.

So here are my simple thoughts.

I unashamedly support Tiger, can’t wait for him to play golf again, and pray that his marriage survives this crisis. I’m 100% in his corner.

What stood out to me on Friday? It was the people sitting in the front row.

His Mom who he hugged right after. A top executive from Nike whose company has refused to bail on him. And one of his best friends, fellow golfer Notah Begay, who has stood by Tiger since his college days.

The front row statement was profound. On the peaks, in the deepest valleys, we stand with our son, friend, and colleague. Let the crap hit the fan, we aren’t going anywhere.

We could all learn a lesson from that.

I have to admit I completely agree with everything he said.

• Philadelphia ranked #1 as the fattest city in the U.S.
• One of the most bitter and angry cities to live in due to our sports teams.
• One of the most miserable cities in the U.S. to live in.
• One of the most dangerous cities in the U.S to live in.
• Philadelphia ranked #1 as the ugliest cities in the U.S. to live in.

With all that being said, it is no coincidence that God has placed Fellowship Church right outside of Philly to reach and connect those who are far from God with Him.  Those lists may be true but our God is bigger than all of those lists.  Share with people your story and the story that God loves them…it just may make a difference.

Awareness, Commitment & Transformation.

They are out in the community and their circle of influence talking about social justice and raising funds.  So many creative ways they can raise funds for this.

• Drink water for two weeks and take all the funds that you would have spent on sodas, coffee, fruit and energy drinks and donate them to Poverty Revolution.
• Skip a meal a day for 10 days and donate the funds towards Poverty Revolution.  Maybe get the entire family to do it.
• Instead of going to a movie and buying snacks…stay in with friends and watch a DVD and donate the funds to Poverty Revolution.
• Shovel snow.
• Babysit and tell them that everything you are making is going to social justice.

So many ways to make people aware and have them do something so much bigger than themselves.  The culmination of raising funds will come on the Poverty Revolution weekend when they will live in cardboard boxes, eat rice, peanut butter, plain oatmeal and drink only water.  They will be working to feed the homeless, hungry and needy.

The goal is to make them aware of social justice issues such as: homelessness, poverty, clean water acts, human trafficking, aids, hunger and fair trade.  After the weekend is completed they will come together to disperse the funds through World Vision.

Very excited about the potential for this to change students forever.  Partner with us in praying for them to follow through with their commitments and have the boldness to talk about social justice.  If you are interested in sponsoring a student or participating yourself email me at Ryan@fellowshiptoday.com